20 September 2013 09:01

The Scotland international is edging closer to fitness following a hernia problem and his return would be timely as fellow midfielder Keith Andrews cannot play against his parent club.

Top scorer Leonardo Ulloa is still suspended so Ashley Barnes starts in attack again.

Strikers Craig Mackail-Smith (Achilles) and Will Hoskins (knee) remain on the sidelines along with midfielder Andrea Orlandi (knee), but fit-again right-back Bruno (hamstring) came on as a sub at QPR in midweek and could start.

The Trotters are still yet to record a Sky Bet Championship victory in their seven fixtures so far despite being one of the outside favourites for promotion, so the return of Davies (ankle) would be welcomed by all at the Reebok Stadium.

In a bid to rectify their recent slump, Freedman left centre-back Zat Knight on the bench in the 2-2 draw with Derby on Tuesday and it remains to be seen whether his captain will earn a recall.

Bolton continue to be without the trio of long-term knee injury victims Joe Riley, Mark Davies and Stuart Holden, while midfielder Andre Moritz (groin) could miss up to six weeks.